Updated: Brand to go for / avoid? What size of road / touring bike?

[Angelfishsolo]

I know that this is a difficult question but I would like to get a ball park figure. I am looking at road / touring bikes and want to know what size I should go for. I am 6 foot and have a 33" inside leg.

 

[zexel]

56/58 depending on torso/leg length and depending on brand of course.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

56/58 depending on torso/leg length and depending on brand of course.

Thank you

 

[ACS]

I'm 5'11" with a 33" inside leg.

I have a 56cm Tricross which I feel is a little small. OK for commuting on but not comfortable enough for long distance. I also have a 58cm Tricross (long story) which a better fit.

IMO 57cm or 58cm would be about right. Top tube length is just as important.

 

[slowmotion]

AFS, I'm the same height and leg length as you, but have quite long arms. I tried both 56 and 58cm frames and opted for the 58cm but with a 90mm stem rather than the original 110 mm one. After a few month getting used to the road bike riding position, I swapped back to the longer stem. Feels good now.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

AFS, I'm the same height and leg length as you, but have quite long arms. I tried both 56 and 58cm frames and opted for the 58cm but with a 90mm stem rather than the original 110 mm one. After a few month getting used to the road bike riding position, I swapped back to the longer stem. Feels good now.

Cheers peeps

 

[funnymummy]

What bikes are you looking at..?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

What bikes are you looking at..?

I am just at the stage where drop bar bikes are looking appealing TBH. Probably a tourer rather than a racer due to my weight. 2nd hand and low in price also preferable. When I work out logistics will look more deeply into it.

 

[funnymummy]

I am just at the stage where drop bar bikes are looking appealing TBH. Probably a tourer rather than a racer due to my weight. 2nd hand and low in price also preferable. When I work out logistics will look more deeply into it.

I'm just over 6', 36/37" inside leg, but I ride three different size bikes - Doesn't seem to be an 'standard' size that fits me, each one differs slightly, in differnet areas.
My Giant is a 22" frame, which is 56cm (ish) My Dawes was a 58cm frame & my Spesh is a 61cm frame.
Ok the Giant is a ladies step through frame, but the other 2 are both mens bikes, if i'd gone for the 59cm in the Spesh i'd have been cracking my knees on the handlebars

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I'm just over 6', 36/37" inside leg, but I ride three different size bikes - Doesn't seem to be an 'standard' size that fits me, each one differs slightly, in differnet areas.
My Giant is a 22" frame, which is 56cm (ish) My Dawes was a 58cm frame & my Spesh is a 61cm frame.
Ok the Giant is a ladies step through frame, but the other 2 are both mens bikes, if i'd gone for the 59cm in the Spesh i'd have been cracking my knees on the handlebars

My, what long legs you have . I get the point, I need to try out frames to get a feel for the bikes. Thanks for the help

 

[billy1561]

Mine is 56cm and i'm 6-1 with 31 inside leg. The advice from LBS was you can always make a small bike bigger but you can't make a big bike smaller. Hope that helps.

 

[funnymummy]

My, what long legs you have .

All the better to pedal with

 

[Angelfishsolo]

All the better to pedal with

I bet

 

[JonnyBlade]

I love the bigger frames. I'm 5' 7" and on a 56 frame. It just suits me

 

[Angelfishsolo]

OK. I have a budget of £350 max. Thus I am looking second hand and steel tube tourer I guess. Can anyone tell me of makes to look out for and avoid please and any other key points?

Thanks very much in advance.